Striker needs to net 65 more at club level and 17 internationally to beat Sir Bobby Charlton's records - and aims to play on for 10 more years

Wayne Rooney has his sights set on eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton as record scorer for England and Manchester United.

Charlton tops England’s all-time
goal-list, with 49 from 106 international appearances. He also managed 249 goals for United.

But Rooney is closing in on the 1966 World Cup winner’s double record, currently sitting on 184 goals for the Reds and 32 for his country.

The Scouser has played just half as many games for United so far as Charlton did – 377 to 758
– but trails their all-time leading scorer by just 65 goals, and ­potentially has many more years left at the top of the game.

If
Rooney carries on scoring at his current rate, he could overtake Charlton’s United haul in a little over two seasons - and the England record could also be his within a similar time-frame.

Rooney is determined to claim both records, and said: “It’s a great challenge.

“Sir Bobby is a legend and is such a presence around the club. If
I could break his record as Manchester United’s top goalscorer and maybe even England’s... wow!

"That is such a great incentive.”

Catch me if you can: Sir Bobby's the man to beat for club and country

Rooney
turned 27 last month and celebrated a decade playing in the Premier League this season, but reckons he still has another 10 years left in him at the highest level.

The striker, who joined United from Everton for £27million in 2004, wants to
emulate the longevity of his Old Trafford team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes by playing on into his late 30s.

Giggs
and Scholes turn 39 and 38 respectively later this month, and Rooney's determined to match their remarkable endurance.

“I
want to play as long as I can and to have shared a dressing room with the likes of Giggsy and Paul Scholes is inspiration to do just that,” said Rooney.

“At least another 10 years would be great. I’m not sure about doing yoga (as Giggs does) but, to be fair, we all have different regimes and a fantastic sports science team at United.

“So I’m confident I can keep going almost as long as both of them. I can see myself one day moving back into midfield.

“I can do it, but I’m not ready yet. I’m a centre-forward and I score goals. And I feel I have plenty of goals left in me.

“I’ll play there if I have to and I have done so at United, but goals are still my main aim and the biggest part of my game.”

Golden oldies: Giggs and Scholes are an example for Rooney

Rooney
also revealed a previously unknown religious side to his character as he explained that he prays when he plays.

“I’m not overly religious, but that is something I like to do,” he said. “I pray for my family, for myself and I pray for the good health of everyone about to take part in the game.”

Rooney, who has missed several
penalties in 2012, also revealed the most nerve-wracking moment of his career was when he scored a penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at Blackburn, which clinched United a record 19th title.

“We had a penalty at Blackburn in 2011,” said Rooney. “It was late in the game and we were losing - if I missed it, the title was on the line. That was hard.

“I had to compose myself, but you know how much is at stake. Score and the title is in the bag but miss and it’s not.

“I was scared, but thankfully it went in.”

United
boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Rooney he must improve his strike-rate from the spot to stay on penalty-taking duties, with Robin van Persie capable of taking over from him.

Rooney also fingered former England skipper and Chelsea captain John Terry as his toughest opponent.

Laurence Griffiths

Friend AND foe: Rooney's happier playing with Terry than against him

Rooney said: “He is the hardest I have faced. He is big, good in the air and powerful, but he is also a very ­intelligent footballer who reads the game so well.